Jamie Carragher didn’t hesitate when naming the Manchester United player he would take at Liverpool.
Liverpool are currently two points clear at the Premier League summit, while their rivals United are languishing in sixth, some 11 points adrift of a top-four spot.
The current superiority of Jurgen Klopp’s side over United is reflective of the disparity between the two teams over the past decade.
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So naturally, when Anfield icon Jamie Carragher was asked on The Overlap Fan Debate to name which United player he would take at Liverpool, the 46-year-old had only one in mind - Kobbie Mainoo.
On the 18-year-old, Carragher said: "I think I'd probably take the young kid Mainoo. His age, number one, I think he looks like a superstar and he could go on to be a real superstar.”
Carragher also suggested that United’s Marcus Rashford would perhaps challenge Luis Diaz on the left flank.
"I'm trying to think who else in the United team is better playing in their position,” Carragher continued. “Maybe Rashford because for Liverpool in the summer, obviously under a new manager, that may be a position you look at.
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"Wide left because I think [Luis] Diaz is good, I don't think he's great. So that could be a position. But I think with Mainoo in central midfield. Yeah, I would go with him just for the age factor."
Ten Hag has heaped praise on Mainoo since the teenager made his first start for United back in November.
Most recently the Dutchman hailed Mainoo’s first England start against Belgium, insisting it reflected well on United.
“I thought it was very good, but we are not surprised. We have seen what he is capable of, that he can very quickly adapt to high levels. It looks very natural. We are very happy for him and of course a little bit proud," he said last week.
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"I would say very proud. It’s great for the academy of Manchester United that they bring up a player so young going into the national team. That is a big compliment for the whole club. I think definitely in the first place for himself because he did it.
“But also for all the ones who worked with him during his time in the academy, so it’s very good news for Manchester United. If he crosses the line, yeah, of course, I as a manager, we as coaches, will interfere.
“But so far it’s not necessary because he enjoys football, he wants to win, and he wants to give his best every day because he wants to improve. As I said, he just wants to have fun on the pitch. For him, it’s fun to play dominant, to dictate the game and to win the game.”
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Chris Byfield